After delays in the nomination of board members, resulting in changes to the timeline, the first meeting of the board of the fund for responding to loss and damage is set to take place from April 30th to May 2nd in Abu Dhabi. The agenda includes discussions on the board’s work plan, rules of procedure, selection of the host country for the secretariat, operationalization of the fund with the World Bank as an interim host, name of the fund, and ways of repairs, among other topics.

We anticipate this first meeting will establish robust foundations for fully operationalizing a much-awaited and direly needed finance mechanism for loss and damage. This Loss and damage finance should be new, additional, accessible, and non-debt-based. We expect the conclusions of discussions during this meeting will also open the way for progress on access modalities, innovative ways to sustain the fund, transparency, and reporting mechanisms, among other questions we have been asking since the establishment of the fund.

We expect that: 

1. The board’s first meeting will establish a tone for engaging with the World Bank to ensure and enhance direct access to the Loss and Damage Fund. The World Bank should promptly confirm its readiness to host the independent secretariat for the fund to avoid further delays in the timeline and enable the prompt beginning of the fund disbursement.
   
   
2. The name of the board and the host country should be decided to facilitate its ability to promptly sign agreements with the World Bank.
   
   
3. The board should ensure the adoption of policies, procedures, and governance structures that promote and sustain active engagement with frontline communities, youth, children, and women. We strongly emphasize the importance of accessibility and inclusivity for young people, women, Indigenous peoples, and other significant rights holders in all aspects of decision-making within the LDF.
   
   
4. The board will establish an ambitious work plan for 2024, which shall include proposed future meeting dates. This plan should also incorporate a draft decision to be considered for adoption at COP 29.